Bedspring



Nov. `8, 1938. D. c, TRAvls 2,135,607

BEDSPRING Filed June-15, 1935 :N64/i4@ @M Patented Nov. 8, 1938 PATENTOFFICE BEDSPRING Don Carlos Travis, Kenosha, Wis., assignor to SimmonsCompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 13,1935, Serial No. 26,331

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in bed springs and has referencemore particularly to an improved'top construction.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a bed spring with alarge surface area for adequately supporting mattresses, especially ofthe inner spring type; to provide a top construction which will affordsuch large supporting area and which will also tend to control sideswayof the springs in the structure; to provide a bed spring having saidadequate supporting area but which will neverthelessy afford the desiredsoft and resilient support for a mattress; and in general, it is theobject of the invention to provide an improved bed spring.

Other objects and advantages will be understood by reference to thefollowing specification and accompanying drawing, wherein there isillustrated a. bed spring embodying a selected f form of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan; and

Figs. 2 and 3 are sections on the lines 2-2 and 3--3 respectively ofFig. 1.

The bed spring illustrated in the drawing includes a top border frame 5preferably made of angle iron, a bottom border frame 6 also preferablymade of angle iron, spring supports such as indicated at 'I and axiallyvertical coil springs the L outermost of which are designated 8 and theintermediate of which are designated 9.

4The lower border frame 6 is preferably arranged with its verticalflange depending from the inner edge of the horizontal flange and the 2spring supports l are suitably secured to the vertical flange of thelower border frame by riveting or otherwise as indicated. The supports Ipreferably extend transversely of the bed spring and the coil springs 8and 9 have their lower ends seated on and suitably tied to therespective supports.

As shown, especially in Fig.y l, ythe springs 8 and 9 are arranged sothat they form rows of springs extending transversely of each other bothin respect of spring rows extending longitudinally and transversely ofthe bed spring and in respect of spring rows extending diagonally of thebed spring in relatively transverse directions.

The top coils of the outermost or border springs '8 are preferablyprovided with loops or ears I0 which extend under the horizontal ange ofthe upper border frame 5, and rivets designated II which extend throughthe border frame and through said spring loops serve to securely anchorsaid border springs to the top border frame.

The springs arranged in rows extending transversely of the bed springhave their top coils connected by means of resilient helical springs I2and the said top coils in the rows extending longitudinally of the bedspring are similarly connected by means of resilient helicals I3. Itwill be apparent that because of the anchorage of the border springs,the inner springs 9 will be resiliently supported in their properlyspaced relation through the agency of said helicals I2 and I3.

A bed spring embodying the structure so far described may constitute acomplete and operative bed spring, but for some purposes, especially forsupporting a mattress of the inner spring type, it may be considered aslacking in respect of area on which to rest the mattress.

To provide for adequate support of inner spring and other mattresses, atop structure embodying thin, flexible, metallic straps is provided.

In this instance, the top structure includes a plurality of relativelyshort straps each of which is designated I4, said straps being arrangedin rows overlying diagonally extending spring rows. Preferably thestraps are each of such length that they extend approximately fromcenter to center of the springs in each row. Hence the straps arearranged in rows overlying spring rows and, as clearly illustrated, theshort straps are arranged substantially in longitudinal alignment. Therows of spring straps also intersect one another in accordance with thesimilar arrangement of the spring rows and the arrangement is preferablysuch that the intersection of rows of straps is located approximatelycentrally over the coilsprings. It is also preferably such that there isan intersection over each of the coil springs, especially in referenceto they inner springs 9.

Where the strap rows intersect over springs, the adjacent strap ends arepreferably pivotally connected together. Such connection is in thisinstance effected through the agency of a metallic plate I5 which hasportions overlying each of the adjacent strap ends and pivoted theretoas indicated at I6. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the pivot connection I6between the plate and each strap I4 is formed by punching the metal ofthe plate I5 downwardly through an appropriate opening II provided inthe strap I4 and swaging the punched down metal outwardly as indicatedat I8 to form an eyelet connection between the respective plate portionsand the strap ends.

-At the periphery of the top strap structure, it is connected to theborder frame by means of resilient helical coil spring connectors E9. Ateach corner ofthe bed spring, the adjacent end of a strap I4 is providedwith an aperture which receives an end hook of the connecting helical I9and the other end of the helical is also provided with a hook whichengages with an aperture provided in a strap element 2D which isanchored to the border frame by means of a rivet II which also anchorsthe adjacent border spring 8 to the frame. Intermediate the cornersWhere a. paicr of diverging straps I4 intersect, such strap ends may bepivoted together by eyelet means such as described for connecting theplate I to the respective strap ends, the eyelet then being formed outof the metal of one of the straps which is punched through an opening inthe other strap. tant and it may be effected solely by means of an endhook of the corresponding helical I9 which may engage registeringapertures in the adjacent straps ends. The helicals I9 which connect theperiphery of the top strap structure intermediate its corners are alsoanchored tothe border frame through the agency of short strap elements25, each of which is anchored to the top border frame by means of saidrivets II.A Y

If desired, the axially vertical coil springsmay beV connected to eachotherlintermediate their top and bottom coils by suitable connectingties such as indicated at 2l, some of which may connect the springsinthe transversely extending rows and others of which` may connect thesprings in longitudinally extending ro-ws.

It will be seen that the described top strap construction is not onlylexible in a vertical direction so as to follow the compression of theaxially vertical coil springs, but that the rows of straps are flexiblelaterally owing to the pivoted connection of the respective short straplengths which form the rows. By reason of the lateral lexibility, saidstrap rows may flex in localized areas when required withouttransmitting lateral movement over the entire length of the strap rows.This is an advantage in that it tends to reduce side sway and to confineit to localized zones where it may be incident to compression of thevertical springs and sidewise movement imparted thereto. The straps I4provide adequate supporting area for a mattress to prevent the same fromsagging between the straps and such supporting area is of courseaugmented by the connecting helicals I2 and I3 and by the top coils ofthe vertical springs 8 and 9. In one embodiment, the straps may be aboutof an inch in width and in theY neighborhood of nine inches in length.Of courseA the length will be dependent upon the spacing of the springsin the rows, where it is desired that pivoted connections should beeffected over each spring and upon other considerations incident to theparticular 'construction ofthe bed spring in which the top structure isincorporated.

YIf desired, the top strap structure may be anchored at a few places totop coils of a few of the axially vertical springs. Such anchoring maybe eiected by wire clip means as indicated at 2l or otherwise andbecause of the nearness of such points of attachment to the pivots ofthe respective straps, there will be no serious` impairment of saidlateral exibility of the top structure.

made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, the scope ofwhich should be determined by reference to the following claims, thesame being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state ofthe art.

However, such connectionis not impor- Changes in the describedconstruction may be Y I claim:

l. In a bed spring, the combination of a borderv which is movable Withinreasonable limits independently lof at least the greater portion, ofsaid coil springs, and means resiliently connecting said topconstruction to said border frame, said top construction comprising aplurality of relatively short, iiexible straps arranged in rows whichextend generally diagonally to said rows of vertical coil springs, Vthestraps in each row Vbeing' disposed in longitudinal alignment and saidrows intersecting each other adjacent the ends of adjacent straps ineach row, the adjacent strap ends at each of a plurality of said inter'-sections being disposed in laterally spaced relation to each other, anda plurality of plate inembers each of which is located at one of saidintersections and has portions overlapping and pivoted to each of saidadjacent strap ends: at thatV intersection.

2. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a` plurality oiaxially vertical coil springs arranged and supported in relativelytransversely extending ro-ws within said border frame, a lattice-liketop construction overlying said spring rows, and means resilientlyconnecting said top construction to said border frame, said topconstruction comprising a plurality of .short flexible straps arrangedin rows which extend generally diagonally to said rows of vertical coilsprings, the straps in each row being disposed in-longitudinal alignmentand said rows intersecting each other centrally over individual coil,Vsprings and adjacent the ends of adjacent straps in each row, the`adjacent strap ends at each of'a plurality of said intersections beingdisposedY in laterally spaced relation to each other and overlying thetop coil of` the spring at that intersection,

and a plurality of plateinembers each of'which is Y arranged centrallyover the coil spring at one of ping and pivoted to each of said adjacentstraps,

whereby each of the interconnected straps'may pivot freely about avertical axis substantially independently of the other straps and Ythecoil spring at that intersection. Y f Y 3. In a bed spring,the'cornbination of a border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coiln overlie the top coils of said springs and. which is movable withinreasonable limits independently of at least the greater portion of saidcoil springs, and means resiliently connecting said top construction tosaid border frame, said top 'construction comprising a plurality ofshort, flexible straps arrangedin rows which extend generally diagonallyto said rows of vertical coil springs,

the straps in each row being disposed in longitudinal alignment and saidrows intersecting each other adjacent the ends of adjacent straps ineach' row, and means pivotally interconnecting the adjacent strap endsat each of said intersections in such manner that each of saidinterconnected straps'may pivot freely about a vertical 45 saidintersections and having portions overlapi 'axis substantiallyindependently of the other straps of that intersection.

4. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality ofaxially vertical coil springs arranged and supported in relativelytransversely extending rows within said border frame, the upper coil ofeach of said springs being substantially at and said upper coils beingdisposed in substantially co-planar relation, a generally flat,lattice-like top construction which is adapted to overlie the top coilsof said springs and which is movable within reasonable limitsindependently of at least the greater portion of said coil springs, andmeans resiliently connecting said top construction to said border frame,said top construction comprising a plurality of short flexible strapsarranged in rows which extend generally diagonally to, and whichoverlie, said spring rows, the straps in each row being disposed inlongitudinal alignment and said rows intersecting each othersubstantially centrally over individual coil springs, the straps of eachrow being of such length as to extend between adjacent intersections andthe adjacent strap ends at each of a plurality of said intersectionsoverlying the top coil of the adjacent spring and being movable relativethereto, and means pivotally interconnecting the adjacent strap ends ateach of said intersections in such manner that each of said straps maypivot freely aboutk a vertical axis independently of the other straps atthat intersection and of the adjacent spring.

5. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality ofaxially vertical coil springs arranged and supported in transverselyextending rows within said border frame, the upper coil of each of saidsprings being substantially flat and said upper coils being disposed insubstantially co-planar relation, a generally at, latticelike topconstruction which is adapted to overlie the top coils of said springsand which is movable within reasonable limits independently of at leastthe greater portion of said coil springs, and means resilientlyconnecting said top construction to said border frame, said topconstruction comprising a plurality of short flexible straps arranged inrows which extend generally diagonally to said spring rows, the strapsin each row being disposed in longitudinal alignment and said rowsintersecting each other substantially centrally over individual coilsprings, the straps of each row being of such length as to extendbetween adjacent intersections and the adjacent strap ends at each of aplurality of intersections overlying the top coil of the adjacent springand being movable relative thereto, and a plurality of plate memberseach of which is arranged centrally over the coil spring at each of saidintersections and has portions overlapping and pivoted to each of saidadjacent straps whereby each of the interconnected straps at each ofsaid intersections may pivot freely about a vertical axis substantiallyindependently of the other straps and the coil spring at thatintersection in order that the rows of straps shall be ilexiblelaterally to permit lateral movement of the straps in localized areasduring use of said spring.

- 6. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality ofaxially vertical coil springs arranged and supported in straight linerows within said border frame, the top coils of all said coil springslying substantially in a single plane, a generally flat, lattice-liketop construction which is adapted to overlie the top coils of said coilsprings and which is movable within reasonable limits independently ofat least the greaterportion of said coil springs, and means resilientlyconnecting said top construction to said border frame, said topconstruction comprising a plurality of relatively short, flexible strapsdisposed in longitudinal alignment to form a plurality of straight line,intersecting rows, one of which rows overlies each of said spring rows,said strap rows intersecting each other centrally over individual coilsprings, and the individual straps making up each of said strap rowsbeing of such length as to extend between adjacent springs of theunderlying row of coil springs, and means for mechanicallyinterconnecting the adjacent -strap ends at each intersection over acoil spring in such manner that each strap is movable independently ofthe other straps and the coil spring at that intersection.

'7. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality ofaxially vertical coil springs arranged and supported in straight linerows within said border frame, the top coils of all said coil springslying substantially in a single plane, a generally flat, lattice-liketop construction which is adapted to overlie the top coils of said coilsprings and which is movable within reasonable limits independently ofat least the greater portion of said coil springs, and means resilientlyconnecting said top construction to said border frame, said topconstruction being made up of a plurality of short, flexible strapsdisposed in longitudinal alignment to form a plurality of straight lineintersecting rows, one of which rows overlies each of said spring rows,said strap rows intersecting each other both centrally over individualcoil springs and intermediate said coil springs, the individual strapsmaking up each of said strap rows being of such length as to extendbetween adjacent springs of the underlying row of coil springs, and theadjacent strap ends at each of a plurality of the intersectionsoverlying the coil springs being mechancally connected together by meanswhich permits each of said straps to pivot freely about a vertical axisindependently of the other straps at that intersection and of theunderlying coil spring.

DON CARLOS TRAVIS.

